Punching machine or the like

ABSTRACT

A punching machine with multiple fixed work stations, comprising a series of different punches disposed one after the other along common plane of alignment and opposite which the striking hammer can be displaced along this plane to be brought above the selected punch. This machine comprises a device for setting the position provided for the article to be punched, which comprises a setting templet and a control member, one of these members being fixed and the other associated with the movable support for the article to be punched, and the fixed member of this device is mounted on the frame of the machine in such a manner as to be able to be displaced parallel to the plane of alignment of the punches. This member is coupled to the movable striking hammer, or to the means for controlling the displacement of the same, along the plane of alignment of the punches, in such a manner that the displacement of this hammer in this direction causes an identical displacement of the fixed reference member of the setting device.

United States Patent [191 Cailloux Apr. 1, 1975 1 PUNCHING MACHINE ORTHE LIKE [75] Inventor: Paul Cailloux, La Varenne,

Saint-Hillaire, France 22 Filed: Apr. 13, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 350,894

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 3,269,246 8/1966 Hanggi 83/627 X3,546,978 12/1970 Keown 83/565 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 859,376l/1961 United Kingdom 83/565 Primary ExaminerWillie G. AbercrombieAttorney, Agent, or FirmMicIhael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A punchingmachine with multiple fixed work stations, comprising a series ofdifferent punches disposed one after the other along common plane ofalignment and opposite which the striking hammer can be displaced alongthis plane to be brought above the selected punch. This machinecomprises a device for setting the position provided for the article tobe punched, which comprises a setting templet and a control member, oneof these members being fixed and the other associated with the movablesupport for the article to be punched, and the fixed member of thisdevice is mounted on the frame of the machine in such a manner as to beable to be displaced parallel to the plane of alignment of the punches.This member is coupled to the movable striking hammer, or to the meansfor controlling the displacement of the same, along the plane ofalignment of the punches, in such a manner that the displacement of thishammer in this direction causes an identical displacement of the fixedreference member of the setting device.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED .874.262

SHiET 1 (1f 4 PATENTED APR 1 I975 sazsraurq PUNCHING MACHINE OR THE LIKEThe present invention relates to punching machines comprising aplurality of different working punches, each of which can be broughtinto service as required.

The machines of this kind are divided into two main categories. In themachines of the first category, the working punches are provided on arotating turret so that the punch in service always occupies the sameposition.

On the other hand, in the machines of the second category, the punchesare fixed in space but the striking hammer can be displaced above thepunch to be brought into service. A machine of this second type formsthe subject of the French Pat. No. 1,445,424.

Such a machine has indisputable advantages. Nevertheless the initialzero regulation is modified for each selection of punches. It istherefore necessary to effect a correction of dimensions to return tothe new zero position. This renders it necessary to have identicaldistances between the axes of the punches and nevertheless it isnecessary to make calculations liable to give rise to errors.

In order to effect the necessary correction, it is likewise known todispose a tracing between two transparent sheets over a luminous sourcewhich corresponds to the punch selected. Nevertheless, this mode ofprocedure does not offer any precision and it is then necessary toadjust the position of the work table according to the coordinates ofthe proposed hole, by means of known measuring devices. Moreover, thissolution does not permit the mass production of parts by means of areproducer.

This is why the object of the present invention is to provide a punchingmachine which belongs to the second category but avoids all thesedisadvantages, by ensuring an automatic correction of the position ofthe work table depending on the selection of the punch, whatever thedistance between the axes of the punches and the position of theselected punch may be.

For this purpose, the present machine comprises a device for adjustingthe position given to the article to be punchcd, which comprisesasetting templet and a stylus, or other control member, one of thesemembers being fixed and the other associated with the movable supportfor the article to be punched.

According to an essential feature, the fixed reference member of thisdevice is mounted on the frame of this machine in such a manner as to beable to be displaced parallel to the alignment plane of the punches, andthis member is coupled to the movable striking hammer, or to the meansfor controlling the displacement of the latter along the plane ofalignment of the punches. The arrangement is such that the displacementof this hammer in this direction, to bring a different punch intoservice, causes an identical displacement of the fixed reference memberof the setting device. Under these conditions, the setting device isautomatically subjected to the required correction to make allowance forthe position of the punch freshly brought into service.

When the templet of the setting device is associated with the movablesupport for the article to be punched and the fixed member of thisdevice consists of a stylus or other reference member, the latter ismounted in such a manner as to be displaced parallel to the plane ofalignment of the various punches on each change of punch and this stylusis coupled to the movable striking hammer, for example by means of asimple connecting rod.

Conversely, when the reference stylus is associated with the support forthe article to be punched and the templet constitutes the fixedreference member of the setting device, this templet is mounted in sucha manner as to be able to be displaced parallel to the axis of aligmentof the punches. It may then be coupled to the control means adapted toensure the displacement of the striking hammer opposite the punches insuch a manner that the position of this. templet is modified on eachchange of punch.

Moreover, two examples of embodiment of the present machinecorresponding to each of these two forms of construction are describedbelow with references to the drawing which is attached simply by way ofindication and in which:

FIG. .1 is a perspective view of a first form of embodiment of apunching machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the work table of this embodiment:

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the device forcontrolling the punches;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view from above of the work table ofanother machine according to the invention, corresponding to a secondform of embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in side elevation of this machine;

FIG. 6 is a view thereof in partial section on the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

The machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a movable table orplaten 1 adapted to receive the article 2a to be punched and mountedabove the platen 4 of a lower frame 5. This table 1 is adapted to bedisplaced in two perpendicular coordinates X-Y. For this purpose, it ismounted for sliding in the direction of the axis X on a horizontal rail6 carried by the front edge of a platen 7 itself mounted fordisplacement above the platen along the axis Y. For this purpose, theplaten 7, which may be in one or more parts, is itself mounted fordisplacement on two parallel horizontal rails 8 fixed to the frame (seeFIG. 2).

The sliding of the table 1 on the rail 6 and that of the platen 7 on thetwo rails 8 is effected by means of bearings, 9 and 10 respectively,which may be provided with roller bearings.

At its front edge, the table 1 is equipped with an operating handle 11.Moreover it comprises a clamping member 12a adapted to ensure the fixingin position of the article to be punched 2a. In addition, a block 13aenables the initial position which should be given to this article to bedetermined.

The present machine comprises a work head designated by the generalreference numeral 14, which is situated above the position provided forthe article 2a to be punched. This work head contains a series ofpunches 17, of different diameters, and having parallel axes disposedand in a common plane A-B. In the example illustrated, these variouspunches are movably mounted in one of the arms of a tool-holder block 18assuming the general shape of a reclining U, as illustrated in FIG. 3.The lower arm of this same block carries a series of dies 19 facing thevarious punches 17, the article to be punched 2a being adapted to belocated in the gap between the arms.

Opposite the punches 17 there is provided a striking hammer 20 mountedfor displacement along the plane AB and adapted to be thus brought aboveone punch 17 or the other to bring the appropriate one into service.

In the example illustrated, the upper head of this hammer is mounted forsliding in a dovetail groove 21 extending parallel to the plane AB andformed in a block 22 adapted to be displaced vertically to control thebringing into action of the selected punch.

According to the essential characteristic of the subject of theinvention, the present machine comprises a device for setting theposition of the article to be punched, which device is adapted to besubjected automatically to a correction when the punch brought intoservice is changed, in such a manner as to make allowance for theposition of the respective punch.

This device is located in the control head of the present machine whichis designated by the general reference numeral 15. This devicecomprises, in combination, a fixed reference stylus l6 and a movablesetting templet 2b, that is to say a standard article already comprisingthe various holes which have to be formed in each of the articles orwork pieces to be punched.

This templet is adapted to be fixed to the movable table 1 serving as asupport for the article to be punched so as to be associated therewith.For this purpose, this table is provided with fixing pincers 12h as wellas with a setting block 1312 enabling the templet 2b to be fixed in apredetermined position on the table.

The placing in position of the article to be punched, before eachpunching, can thus be effected by bringing the work table 1 into such aposition that the corresponding hole already existing in the templet 217is exactly opposite the stylus 16. This operation therefore enables thearticle 2a to be punched precisely at the required point. Before eachpunching. it is sufficient for the operator to manoeuvre the table 1 inone direction and in the other to bring the templet 2h precisely intothe required position opposite the stylus 16.

Now according to an essential feature of the subject of the invention.the stylus l6. constituting the fixed reference member of the settingdevice, can be displaced parallel to the plane AB of alignment of thepunches. Moreover, it is coupled to the striking hammer in such a manneras to accompany this in its displacements parallel to the plane AB ofthe punches. As illustrated. this coupling may be effected by a simpleconnecting rod 23.

Thus any displacement of the striking hammer 20 in the direction AB tochange the punch which is to come into action results in an identicaldisplacement of the stylus 16. Consequently, the position of hammer 20is modified automatically to take into consideration the change inposition of the punch which will come into action. This modification inposition of the stylus therefore leads to an identical change inposition of the article to be punched, during the setting operation,which therefore makes allowance for the change in punch.

An automatic correction is therefore obtained by extremely simple meansand without this necessitating any particular operation on the part ofthe operator.

This is a very important advantage of the present machine incomparisonwith the machines at present in existence in which there is provided amovable striking hammer adapted to act on one of the punches in a seriesof punches of different diameter. Actually; as'indicated previously, themachines of this type necessitate a correction in the positions of thearticle to machined, on each change of punch.

The striking hammer 20 may be actuated by any suitable means, forexample by means of a sliding wedge 24 adapted to be displaced in aplane perpendicular to the axis of the displacements of this hammer.This wedge is mounted for sliding against an inclined plane 25 formed onthe top of the block 22 carrying the striking hammer. Thus thedisplacement of this wedge in one direction and in the other along theaxis Z. results in a vertical movement of this hammer.

FIGS. 4 to 6 represent a second form of embodiment of the presentpunching machine. This embodiment differs from the previous one by thefact that the fixed reference member of the setting device consists ofthe templet while the movable member associated with the support for thearticle to be punched consists of the stylus of this same device.

As before. this machinecomprises a series of working punches 17a ofdifferent diameter. the axes of which are disposed along one and thesame plane AB. The article 2a to be punched. which may have an outlinea, h, c, d, is adapted to be fixed by any appropriate means to acarriage 31 adapted to slide in the direction X on a rod 32 rigidlyconnected to the work table la of the present machine.

The carriage preferably consists of thebody ofajack, the piston of whichis carried by the guide rod 32. This jack therefore enables thedisplacement of the article to be punched 2a to be controlled in onedirection or in the other along the plane X parallel to the axis AB ofalignment of the punches.

This table is fixed to the body 33 of two jacks provided close to eachend and the fixed rods 34 of which extend parallel to the axis Y. Thusthese jacks enable the table In to be displaced parallel to this axis.

The setting device provided in the present machine consists as before ofa templet 2b and a reference stylus 16a. In the present case, however,the arrangement provided is the reverse of that existing in the previousform of embodiment. Actually. in the present machine, the stylus 16a isnot fixed but, on the contrary. associated with the support for thearticle to be punched 2a. The support 35 for this stylus is actuallyrigidly connected to the carriage 31 serving as a support for thisarticle. The setting templet 21) on the other hand is fixed instead ofbeing associated with the support for the article to be punched.

As was the case in the previous form of embodiment for the fixedreference member of the corresponding setting device, however. thistemplet is mounted on the frame of the machine in such a manner as to beable to be displaced parallel to the plane AB of alignment of thepunches. For this purpose, this templet is fixed to a carriage 36mounted for movement parallel to the axis X, between pairs of rollers 37carried by fixed supports 38 forming part of the frame.

This carriage is coupled to the movable striking hammer 20a of thepresent machine, which is adapted to act on one or the other of thepunches 17a. More precisely, this carriage is coupled to the controlmeans enabling the displacement of this movable hammer to be effected inone direction and in the other along the axis AB opposite the variouspunches.

These control means comprise a control hand-wheel 39 keyed onto a rotaryshaft 40. The connecting members between this shaft and the strikinghammer are not illustrated on the accompanying drawing, however, becausethis is a question of a known arrangement which does not form part ofthe subject of the present invention. Means for immobilizing the shaft40 in each of its effective positions are preferably provided.

The coupling between this shaft and the carriage 36 serving as a supportfor the templet 2b is afforded by means of a toothed rack 46 rigidlyconnected to this carriage and in mesh with a pinion 47 carried by theshaft 40. Thus the means for displacing the striking hammer are coupledto the means for driving this carriage in the longitudinal direction.Consequently, the displacement of the striking hammer opposite the selected punch is automatically accompanied by an appropiate correction ofthe position of the standard article or of the control templet.

Thus the same result is finally obtained as in the first form ofembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Actually, in both cases, theposition of the fixed reference member of the setting device isautomatically corrected on each change of position of the movablestriking hammer when a different punch is brought into service.

I claim:

1. A punching machine comprising a frame; a platen above said framemovable in two directions which are normal to each other; meansconnected to said frame and said platen for guiding the latter movablein said directions; means on said platen for holding a workpiece to bepunched and a templet in fixed position and laterally spaced from eachother for movement with said platen in said directions; a series ofpunches ofdifferent cross-sections having parallel axes located spacedfrom each other in a common plane substantially normal to said platen;means fixed to said frame for guiding each of said punches movable froma rest to an operating position for punching a hole in a workpiececarried by said platen; striking means movable in said common plane foralignment with a respective one of said punches and cooperating with arespective punch for moving the same from said rest to said workingposition; a stylus cooperating with said templet and mounted formovement in said common plane; and means for connecting said stylus withsaid striking means for adjusting the position of the latter in saidplane in accordance with the position of said stylus. said connectingmeans maintaining said stylus and said striking means at a fixeddistance from each other.

2. A punching machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said striking meanscomprise a striking hammer, a guide block for guiding said strikinghammer in said plane for alignment with one of said punches. and meanscooperating with said guide block for moving the same in the directionof the axis of said one punch for moving the latter from said rest tosaid operating position.

3. A punching machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said block has asurface inclined to the axes of said punches and wherein said means formoving said guide block comprises a wedge movable in a directiontransverse to said axes and engaging said inclined surface.

4. A punching machine as defined in claim 1, and including a blockhaving an upper and a lower arm substantially parallel to said platenand arranged to accommodate a workpiece held by said platen between saidarms, said upper arm being provided with a plurality of guide bores forguiding said punches movable between said rest and said operatingpositions and said lower arm being provided with bores respectivelyaligned with said guide bores and constituting die openings for saidpunches.

5. A punching machine as defined in claim 2, wherein said connectingmeans extend between said stylus and said striking hammer and areconstituted by a rod.

6. A punching machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said common planeis parallel to one of said directions. I=

1. A punching machine comprising a frame; a platen above said framemovable in two directions which are normal to each other; meansconnected to said frame and said platen for guiding the latter movablein said directions; means on said platen for holding a workpiece to bepunched and a templet in fixed position and laterally spaced from eachother for movement with said platen in said directions; a series ofpunches of different cross-sections having parallel axes located spacedfrom each other in a common plane substantially normal to said platen;means fixed to said frame for guiding each of said punches movable froma rest to an operating position for punching a hole in a workpiececarried by said platen; striking means movable in said common plane foralignment with a respective one of said punches and cooperating with arespective punch for moving the same from said rest to said workingposition; a stylus cooperating with said templet and mounted formovement in said common plane; and means for connecting said stylus withsaid striking means for adjusting the position of the latter in saidplane in accordance with the position of said stylus, said connectingmeans maintaining said stylus and said striking means at a fixeddistance from each other.
 2. A punching machine as defined in claim 1,wherein said striking means comprise a striking hammer, a guide blockfor guiding said striking hammer in said plane for alignment with one ofsaid punches, and means cooperating with said guide block for moving thesame in the direction of the axis of said one punch for moving thelatter from said rest to said operating position.
 3. A punching machineas defined in claim 2 wherein said block has a surface inclined to theaxes of said punches and wherein said means for moving said guide blockcomprises a wedge movable in a direction transverse to said axes andengaging said inclined surface.
 4. A punching machine as defined inclaim 1, and including a block having an upper and a lower armsubstantially parallel to said platen and arranged to accommodate aworkpiece held by said platen between said arms, said upper arm beingprovided with a plurality of guide bores for guiding said punchesmovable between said rest and said operating positions and said lowerarm being provided with bores respectively aligned with said guide boresand constituting die openings for said punches.
 5. A punching machine asdefined in claim 2, wherein said connecting means extend between saidstylus and said striking hammer and are constituted by a rod.
 6. Apunching machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said common plane isparallel to one of said directions.